Debate of shows, setlists, etc

jets521

this was a side topic in a GTF thread...i think it deserves its own thread/discussion.

the topic is....the pointless, obsolete, never ending debate of "Show X was better then Show Z" . the most irritating discussion in this community is the NEVER ENDING argument of Shows vs. Shows, Setlists vs. Setlists.


the argument cannot be won, especially on an internet community. there is now way to objectively debate the topic. a concert experience is so incredibly unique and powerful..you dont retain the euphoria your body generates during a show..you dont take it home with you.

sitting here in philly i laugh at a show that could have been better then Spectrum III or IV.

the argument been going on for nearly 45 years in the GRATEFUL DEAD community...its a pointless argument. and look at how many more shows the original grateful dead lineup has played then PJ. Everybody has opinion of the greatest show ever. and unless you have been to EVERY pearl jam show ever...you have know way of trying to argue what the best show is. its white noise to me...but i HAD to chime in because the posts lately have been embarrassing. People who weren't even at shows, determining what setlist is better then the other. gimme a break.

Jokertt14

i Was at the soldier field show 1995 . and what makes that so special are the songs they had to work with . never be topped as far as "old school " !!! hands down

Its a lot easier to compare these newer shows with the same songs .

washedinblack91

..........but maybe talking about it is fun? don't be such a grouch!

Paul Andrews

The best show is the show you enjoyed. So many things can influence how you respond to a show: maybe MIke pointed at you, Stone rocked out, you caught a Jeff pick, Ed noticed you, a wicked set list, an awesome outdoor summer night, being surrounded by great people, someone passed you a joint, a long show, good beer, whatever. The actual set list is only part of the experience and while it does make for a good discussion point, there are so many other variables that it becomes a pointless exercise saying one show is better than another. Of all the dozen or so shows I've seen, I find it very difficult to pick a favourite. But, hey, it is cool to discuss your opinions and experiences.

jets521

Paul Andrews wrote:

The actual set list is only part of the experience and while it does make for a good discussion point, there are so many other variables that it almost pecomes a pointless exercise saying one show is better than another. Of all the dozen or so shows I've seen, I find it very difficult to pick a favourite.

exactly

Phil100981

I have been to 24 Pearl Jam shows 25 come Monday!!!! So those are the only shows I would debate I have been to some great shows or sets of shows if you will as well but one show sticks out amonsgt the rest. I have been to the 3 2003 Tweeter center shows. Well every boston area show since 2000. the 4 Phill Shows in 2009. Albany a couple. EVen Made it to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moutain View, Cali.

Of all those shows not including Boston 2010 (it hasnt happened yet) this could actually change.

The Concerts that I would put as my top to are Albany 2006 and Halifax 2005.

With Halifax edging out Albany by quite a bit. Don't get me wrong there was albsoluety nothing wrong with anything down at that Albany show I had very decent non fam club seats. The setlist was amazing with rarities and all. but Halifax they pulled out a ton of my favorite tracks and the 10club grazed me with 3 row seats right inbetween Mike and Eddie. Myself and my friend were in heaven up here so close to the stage as the 2 friends we drive up with spent 400 dollars on a couple of the seats prettty colse to the rear of the building.

pearljamdude420

i been to 30 shows, best ever was state college pa. next best ones alpine valley same here 2003 also buffalo that year, and holmdel. and then ottawa 2005, montreal 2003, and las vegas 06 was really good too

pearljamdude420

still waiting 7 years plus for a better show than state college, that was maybe my 12th or so show. that was the best one ever.

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

It doesnt really matter what they play but if they play my favorites, rare or not, all the better. but are people really excited to hear Satan's Bed, or just a rare song? i dont get that.

DS1119

jets521 wrote:

this was a side topic in a GTF thread...i think it deserves its own thread/discussion.

the topic is....the pointless, obsolete, never ending debate of "Show X was better then Show Z" . the most irritating discussion in this community is the NEVER ENDING argument of Shows vs. Shows, Setlists vs. Setlists.


the argument cannot be won, especially on an internet community. there is now way to objectively debate the topic. a concert experience is so incredibly unique and powerful..you dont retain the euphoria your body generates during a show..you dont take it home with you.

sitting here in philly i laugh at a show that could have been better then Spectrum III or IV.

the argument been going on for nearly 45 years in the GRATEFUL DEAD community...its a pointless argument. and look at how many more shows the original grateful dead lineup has played then PJ. Everybody has opinion of the greatest show ever. and unless you have been to EVERY pearl jam show ever...you have know way of trying to argue what the best show is. its white noise to me...but i HAD to chime in because the posts lately have been embarrassing. People who weren't even at shows, determining what setlist is better then the other. gimme a break.

The band's best show is the last one I attended. *


*this is a disclaimer which allows the writer of this post, "I", to actually claim a show was his/her favorite based on attendance to the latest show he/she attended.

MB50486

Been to both State College and Philly IV. Also Cleveland this year. People have been debating which one was better. IMO Philly IV was slightly better than SC for one reason...it was historic. Last show yada yada. One has to take into account the whole package. Set list, crowd, moment in time, etc. That said SC was incredible. The band played the last encore with the lights on. We didn't think we would ever be able to leave. So to sum up. Theyre all good. Why should we have to pick?

Thierry Henry

jets521 wrote:

this was a side topic in a GTF thread...i think it deserves its own thread/discussion.

the topic is....the pointless, obsolete, never ending debate of "Show X was better then Show Z" . the most irritating discussion in this community is the NEVER ENDING argument of Shows vs. Shows, Setlists vs. Setlists.


the argument cannot be won, especially on an internet community. there is now way to objectively debate the topic. a concert experience is so incredibly unique and powerful..you dont retain the euphoria your body generates during a show..you dont take it home with you.

sitting here in philly i laugh at a show that could have been better then Spectrum III or IV.

the argument been going on for nearly 45 years in the GRATEFUL DEAD community...its a pointless argument. and look at how many more shows the original grateful dead lineup has played then PJ. Everybody has opinion of the greatest show ever. and unless you have been to EVERY pearl jam show ever...you have know way of trying to argue what the best show is. its white noise to me...but i HAD to chime in because the posts lately have been embarrassing. People who weren't even at shows, determining what setlist is better then the other. gimme a break.

Good point!

dimitrispearljam

OP really this is true..u are right..
but Berlin was the best

Bathgate66

That Saturday Night Borgata show
( yeah - a PJ show in a Casino / Spa )
in 2005 was pretty awesome ( small room )
as was that 1 off charity show at The Beacon Theatre .

MB50486

MB50486 wrote:

Been to both State College and Philly IV. Also Cleveland this year. People have been debating which one was better. IMO Philly IV was slightly better than SC for one reason...it was historic. Last show yada yada. One has to take into account the whole package. Set list, crowd, moment in time, etc. That said SC was incredible. The band played the last encore with the lights on. We didn't think we would ever be able to leave. So to sum up. Theyre all good. Why should we have to pick?

have to add. The crowd around you has a lot to do with the concert experience. Philly IV was at times scary. My wife almost needed an escort to pee. People were out of control. Which wasn't all bad. But it does make your experience different

ski4

jets521 wrote:

this was a side topic in a GTF thread...i think it deserves its own thread/discussion.

the topic is....the pointless, obsolete, never ending debate of "Show X was better then Show Z" . the most irritating discussion in this community is the NEVER ENDING argument of Shows vs. Shows, Setlists vs. Setlists.


the argument cannot be won, especially on an internet community. there is now way to objectively debate the topic. a concert experience is so incredibly unique and powerful..you dont retain the euphoria your body generates during a show..you dont take it home with you.

sitting here in philly i laugh at a show that could have been better then Spectrum III or IV.

the argument been going on for nearly 45 years in the GRATEFUL DEAD community...its a pointless argument. and look at how many more shows the original grateful dead lineup has played then PJ. Everybody has opinion of the greatest show ever. and unless you have been to EVERY pearl jam show ever...you have know way of trying to argue what the best show is. its white noise to me...but i HAD to chime in because the posts lately have been embarrassing. People who weren't even at shows, determining what setlist is better then the other. gimme a break.

i agree, it's a useless debate. It's like having tastes for certain beers. stating how the concert affected you is fine. berating others or a city over your own personal experience is lame thugh

SoonForgotten2

MrSmith wrote:

It doesnt really matter what they play but if they play my favorites, rare or not, all the better. but are people really excited to hear Satan's Bed, or just a rare song? i dont get that.

Yes. I absolutely love "Satan's Bed". I could hear that every show and be thrilled every time. Same for "Rats".

Fighting Hellfish

Phil100981 wrote:

I have been to 24 Pearl Jam shows 25 come Monday!!!! So those are the only shows I would debate I have been to some great shows or sets of shows if you will as well but one show sticks out amonsgt the rest. I have been to the 3 2003 Tweeter center shows. Well every boston area show since 2000. the 4 Phill Shows in 2009. Albany a couple. EVen Made it to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moutain View, Cali.

Of all those shows not including Boston 2010 (it hasnt happened yet) this could actually change.

The Concerts that I would put as my top to are Albany 2006 and Halifax 2005.

With Halifax edging out Albany by quite a bit. Don't get me wrong there was albsoluety nothing wrong with anything down at that Albany show I had very decent non fam club seats. The setlist was amazing with rarities and all. but Halifax they pulled out a ton of my favorite tracks and the 10club grazed me with 3 row seats right inbetween Mike and Eddie. Myself and my friend were in heaven up here so close to the stage as the 2 friends we drive up with spent 400 dollars on a couple of the seats prettty colse to the rear of the building.

Interesting. last night was # 24, and I was also at Albany 2006. i would not rank that show that highly. Not that I'm saying you're wrong, not by any means,,,,,and I thought it was a great show, just not one of my favorites. I have had the luck of being at some incredible shows. MSG 98, 2003, 2006, 2008, Vegas 2000, Uniondale 03 (Phenomenal show, except for the near riot) Jones Beach 3 2000, Toronto 2003, Boson 1 & 2 2004. Philly 1 & 4 2009. Interesting how 2 people can view the same show differently, which, in a way, proves the OP right. There is no "Best Show Ever"

jets521

MB50486 wrote:

MB50486 wrote:

Been to both State College and Philly IV. Also Cleveland this year. People have been debating which one was better. IMO Philly IV was slightly better than SC for one reason...it was historic. Last show yada yada. One has to take into account the whole package. Set list, crowd, moment in time, etc. That said SC was incredible. The band played the last encore with the lights on. We didn't think we would ever be able to leave. So to sum up. Theyre all good. Why should we have to pick?

have to add. The crowd around you has a lot to do with the concert experience. Philly IV was at times scary. My wife almost needed an escort to pee. People were out of control. Which wasn't all bad. But it does make your experience different

Spectrum built in the 60s....the small concourses, underground bathrooms and disgustingness of said bathrooms does not translate well to 2009. so dont let that fool ya! stick any concert in a small, outdated venue and it can easily be a bad/scary scene